Environmental Science Nano,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
This
study
demonstrates
that
environmental
weathering
processes
differentially
affect
the
aggregation
behavior
of
nanoplastics,
providing
important
insights
into
risk
assessment
nanoplastics
contamination.
Photochemical
weathering
and
eco-corona
formation
through
natural
organic
matter
(NOM)
adsorption
play
vital
roles
in
the
aggregation
tendencies
of
nanoplastics
(NPs)
aquatic
environments.
However,
it
remains
unclear
how
photochemical
alters
patterns
NOM
conformation
eco-corona,
subsequently
affecting
NPs.
This
study
examined
effect
Suwannee
River
on
kinetics
pristine
photoaged
polystyrene
(PS)
NPs
monovalent
electrolyte
solutions.
The
results
showed
that
influenced
which,
turn,
determined
NP
stability
presence
NOM.
Hydrophobic
components
predominantly
bound
to
hydrophobic
π–π
interactions,
extended
hydrophilic
segments
water
hindered
via
steric
repulsion.
Conversely,
hydrogen
bonding
facilitated
binding
these
multiple
NPs,
thereby
destabilizing
them
polymer
bridging.
Additionally,
stabilization
destabilization
capacities
increased
with
its
concentration
molecular
weight.
These
findings
shed
light
role
weathered
offering
new
perspectives
environmental
colloidal
chemistry
fate
complex
Water,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
17(2), P. 231 - 231
Published: Jan. 16, 2025
Microplastic
(MP)
pollution,
an
emerging
global
change
factor,
disturbs
the
ecosystem
functioning.
Inland
wetlands,
providing
important
services,
might
be
sink
for
MPs.
Understanding
distribution,
source,
and
fate
of
MPs
in
inland
wetland
ecosystems
is
a
prerequisite
developing
effective
management
strategy.
Here,
different
types
including
river
wetland,
constructed
lake
were
selected
to
explore
pollution
patterns
therein.
Results
showed
that
abundance
soil
ranges
from
532
4309
items/kg.
Transparent,
fibers,
polyethylene
terephthalate
most
common
color,
shape,
polymer
type
MPs,
respectively.
The
this
study
did
not
significantly
remove
was
one
main
sinks
had
accumulated
large
amounts
In
addition,
MP
characteristics
cluster
analyses
aquaculture,
agricultural
cultivation,
domestic
waste
sources
area.
occluded
particulate
organic
carbon
content
related
abundance.
conclusion,
reveals
special
river-constructed-lake
which
would
help
better
understand
distribution
source
wetlands
have
implications
subsequent
control
ecological
restoration
wetlands.
Processes,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
12(4), P. 635 - 635
Published: March 22, 2024
The
aging
processes
of
microplastics
(MPs)
are
prevalent
in
natural
environments.
Understanding
the
mechanisms
MPs
is
crucial
for
assessing
their
environmental
behavior
and
potential
risks.
In
this
study,
we
selected
polylactic
acid
(PLA)
polyethylene
(PE)
as
representatives
biodegradable
conventional
plastics,
respectively,
to
examine
changes
physicochemical
properties
induced
by
water
UV
light
exposure.
Laboratory
resulted
significant
fragmentation,
characterized
cracks
pores
on
surfaces,
both
types
MPs,
with
PLA
exhibiting
more
severe
changes,
particularly
under
combined
Notably,
tended
become
progressively
smaller
after
aging,
whereas
PE
did
not
show
size
changes.
Chemical
analyses
aged
using
micro-Fourier-transform
infrared
spectroscopy
(FTIR)
X-ray
photoelectron
(XPS)
revealed
a
substantial
increase
carbonyl
index
(CI)
oxygen
content
PE,
suggesting
surface
oxidation
during
photo-oxidation.
Conversely,
displayed
CI
decrease,
along
an
increase,
indicating
breakdown
ester
linkages
formation
other
products.
Furthermore,
developed
optimized
pyrolysis–gas
chromatography–mass
spectrometry
(Py–GC–MS)
methods
identify
chemical
degradation
products
PLA,
considering
differing
thermal
stabilities.
We
observed
distinct
trend
regarding
peaks
chromatogram
identified
typical
crosslinking
PLA.
Additionally,
process,
exhibited
organic
carbon
content,
eluate
containing
submicron/nano-sized
particles.
This
study
provides
scientific
foundation
deeper
understanding
various
regards
effects
irradiation
Emerging contaminants,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
10(3), P. 100383 - 100383
Published: June 21, 2024
Microplastics
(MPs)
(<
5
mm)
are
a
growing
environmental
problem
and
have
garnered
significant
global
interest
by
scientists
policy
makers.
Coastal
ecosystems
vulnerable
to
MP
pollution,
assessing
their
sources,
fate,
transport
in
the
environment
is
imperative
for
marine
ecosystem
health.
Data
sediment
still
limited,
particularly
Pearl
River
Estuary
(PRE)
China.
Here,
we
assessed
abundance,
characteristics,
risks
of
MPs
sediments
from
PRE.
abundance
ranged
2.05
×
103
items
·kg-1
7.75
(dry
weight),
white
black
were
dominant
colors.
The
majority
(>
64.12%)
detected
<0.85mm
primarily
consisted
pellets
(36.84%)
fragments
(29.65%).
Three
polymer
types
identified
Fourier
Transform
Infrared
Spectroscopy
(FT-IR)
including
polyethylene
(PE),
terephthalate
(PET),
polypropylene
(PP).
Meanwhile,
polyurethane
(PU)
sponge
was
reported
first
time
this
study
area.
Observations
surface
morphology
typical
using
Scanning
Electron
Microscopy
(SEM)
showed
that
all
exhibited
varying
degrees
erosion,
characterized
cracks,
folds,
bumpy
structures.
Furthermore,
different
concentrations
heavy
metal
elements
found
on
surfaces
some
MPs,
potentially
adsorbed
surrounding
environment.
Based
type
quantity
polymers
identified,
classified
risk
contamination
PRE
as
category
III,
indicating
severe
contamination.
Results
investigation
may
serve
an
effective
model
other
estuaries
facing
similar
pollution
regimes
provides
valuable
information
assessment.